How Karan Johar brought out the fun side of Deepika, Aamir

A more cerebral version of Koffee with Karan, the entertainment session of the 12th Hindustan Times Leadership Summit on Friday, was about Hindi cinema, men ‘exposing’ and cheeky comebacks from actors Deepika Padukone and Aamir Khan.

A more cerebral version of Koffee with Karan, the entertainment session of the 12th Hindustan Times Leadership Summit on Friday, was about Hindi cinema, men ‘exposing’ and cheeky comebacks from actors Deepika Padukone and Aamir Khan. Host Karan Johar, of course, brought out the best and the most fun side of the two stars.

Khan said Indian cinema had broadened its horizons but the rush to join the Rs 100-crore club was still keeping film-makers from experimenting with scripts.

“At one time, we had a pretty narrow understanding of what mainstream Indian cinema is. Now it has really widened; film-makers are making films that earlier wouldn’t have been made,” Khan said. “Now, such alternative films are being seen by a large number of people as well, so the audience has also changed. They want a fresh voice.”

“One of the most damaging things that’s happening today is that a lot of top film-makers and actors are selecting scripts that would make 100, 200 crore. And I am including myself in that. A lot of top, successful people are afraid to experiment. We really have to let go off that fear, if we want to make films that are different.”

Padukone refused to make any “final statement of sorts” on a recent controversy over a photograph published on the Web. “I think I’ve said what I want to say, and that’s about it. It’s not about attacking one person or trying to create any kind of negativity, it’s about standing up for yourself and making people aware of where we as a society are going wrong.”

The usual questions about the other Khans were thrown at Aamir, who answered, “There should be 10 other Khans who’re equally good.”

The session came full circle when a guest asked the actress if she was “threatened by actors these days exposing more, sometimes baring all with just a transistor?” She was clearly hinting at Khan’s soon-to-be-released PK and its controversial poster. Khan answered on her behalf, amidst much laughter, saying even then people would still look at Padukone.